| Alberto G. Santos | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Kearny, New Jersey | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2000 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1965[1] Caracas, Venezuela [1] |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University (B.S.F.S.) New York University School of Law (J.D.)(LL.M.)[2] |
| Profession | Attorney in New Jersey and New York[2] |
| Website | www.kearnynj.org/Mayor |
Alberto (Al) G. Santos (born 1965) is the Mayor of Kearny, New Jersey, and a Democrat. Santos formerly served as councilman of Kearny's Second Ward for one year. Santos was elected Mayor in 2000, and then re-elected in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2009.
The son of a hard working Portuguese, immigrant family, Al was born in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1970, Al along with his family, moved to Kearny. The family originally emigrated from Murtosa, Portugal.[1] The mayor is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish.[2]
Santos was up for reelection in 2009. He had no Democratic opponent(s) during the primary elections. During the general election, his only opponent was Republican, John Leadbeater. The two fought it out hard and nasty with various local newspaper ads bashing each others' campaign and platform. In the end, Santos walked away victorious with a 57% to 42% win against Leadbeater.[3]
Santos serves as the Clerk to the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, a dual position often called double dipping, which is allowed under state law but widely condemned by the public and civic interest groups.[4]
Santos defended the new heliport in Kearny that was opposed by Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, Ward B Councilman David Donnelly and others after it secured federal approvals and had been issued local zoning permits.[5]